Page 85 of Maverick

I grabbed my cane and started to walk down the hallway. It was eerily quiet and I started to get concerned. As I rounded the corner to the common area, the small rehab center was full of the other patients, nurses, doctors, and all the guys from The Devil’s Highwaymen.

Maverick came out from the middle of the crowd and looked sexy as sin. He was wearing brand new dark jeans that hugged his ass just right and a stark white t-shirt under his club cut.

He took my hand in his hand and pulled me into him. Maverick bent down and gently kissed me on the lips. “Congrats, babe. You graduated rehab.”

I gazed up at him in awe, “You did this all for me?”

Maverick nodded. “All of this and then some. Small party here and then we’re going home, baby girl.”

Everybody came over and congratulated me and offered any help I needed. It was so nice to be surrounded by such a loving group of people. Joker came over and pulled me into a big hug.

“I’m proud of you,Mi cielito.Always knew you were a little fighter, despite your hippie tendencies.”

I playfully punched him in the arm. “Yeah, yeah. Heard you’ve been hanging around the club when you weren’t with me. Planning on planting some roots?”

Joker shrugged. “It would be nice, but I’ve got a little overtaking to plan. Maybe moving the club closer to here wouldn’t hurt. A fresh start is always nice, huh?”

I laughed and leaned into him. “Yeah. Yeah, it is. Speaking of fresh starts...what do you think of Maverick? You haven’t told me your feelings on him yet.”

“He’s a good guy, Willow. Loves you more than life itself. As long as he continues to treat you like this, I have no issues with him.”

I smiled up at Joker and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Thank you. I love him, Joker.”

“I know you do,mariposa. Now when I leave, you better keep in touch with me. I expect at least a phone call a week. I’ll be back soon when I get my guys out. Things are gonna get scary for a bit, but I promise you that I will take Snake out.”

I leaned into him as Maverick came walking over and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “You ready to go, baby girl?”

I nodded and we made our way out the door while saying goodbye to everybody. Instead of his motorcycle in the parking lot, a brand new black Ford Raptor sat in the front spot.

“Surprise number two, a brand new truck. Come on, babe.”

Maverick opened the door and helped me into the truck. Orion wasn’t far behind us and hopped in the driver's side and into the back seat.

I started to buckle up as Maverick walked to the driver’s side and got in. He turned to me and smiled. “Figured we needed a new truck while you’re on the mend. That old piece of shit needed to go.”

I just shook my head and laughed. “You are something else, Mav.” I looked out the window and noticed we were going the long way home, through Main Street. “Where are we going, babe?”

“Surprise number three, baby girl.” He parked at the end of Main Street and turned to me. “Here, let me help you put this blindfold on.”

Maverick held out a black silk blindfold and helped tie it around my eyes. I heard the door open and shut then felt the door on my side open. Maverick’s rough, yet safe hands reached out and helped me down.

I took some deep breaths and reminded myself that I was safe with Maverick. He passed me my cane and placed his hand on the small of my back. Orion came right to my side and I could feel his fluffy tail hitting my legs.

Maverick gently guided me up the sidewalk and then stopped. I heard a door open and then he was back by my side. Maverick helped me up a small step and took a few more steps before we stopped.

“Are you ready, baby girl?”

I nodded. “Yes! Now get this thing off of me. I don’t think I like it too much, babe.”

Maverick cursed under his breath and carefully removed the blindfold. “Whatcha think?”

I looked around and could feel the tears start to form in my eyes. “Maverick, is this what I think it is?”

He nodded and I wrapped my arms around him. Maverick gently kissed me on top of my head as he took my hand in his. “Come on, babe. Let me show you around.”

Maverick led me around the studio making sure to tell me every little detail. “This is the kid’s area. We got little easels for them and little tables with chairs. There’s also the chalkboard wall they can color on if somebody is shopping for your art or stopping by.”

“Shopping for my...art?”

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